Nut-locking device and associated assembly unit

ABSTRACT

The invention concerns a unit ( 210 ) for a locking device, comprising: a nut ( 212 ) comprising two coaxial taps in opposite directions; and a ring ( 213 ); said ring including a third tap ( 38 ); the first ( 18 ) and third ( 38 ) taps being capable of engaging with a single first thread ( 22 ); said ring including a second thread ( 40 ) capable of engaging with the second tap ( 20 ) of the nut. The unit further comprises a washer ( 214 ) configured ( 274 ) so as to be inserted around one ( 212 ) of the nut and the ring, the washer comprising an elastic engagement means ( 272 ) for engaging with the other ( 213 ) of the ring and the nut in an installation position of the unit, so as to prevent the ring and the nut from rotating relative to each other.

The present invention relates to a locking device, of the typecomprising: a shaft comprising a first thread, and a nut and a ringintended to be assembled on the shaft. The nut comprises a first tappingadapted to cooperate with the first thread of the shaft, said firstthread and tapping defining a first radial clearance; the nut furthercomprising a second tapping opposite the first tapping, the first andsecond tapping being coaxial; an outer surface of the ring comprising asecond thread capable of interacting with the second tapping of the nut,said second thread and tapping defining a second radial clearance; aninner surface of said ring comprising a third thread capable ofinteracting with the first thread of the shaft, said first thread andthird tapping defining a third radial clearance.

Such a locking device is in particular known from document EP0130304. Inorder to clamp elements positioned on a threaded screw in abutmentagainst the screw head, the ring is screwed in the opposite directioninto the nut, then the nut and the ring are installed together on thescrew until the nut clamps the elements against the head of the screw.In order to finalize the tightening, the ring is screwed in the oppositedirection into the nut until the thread flanks' screw/nut′, ‘nut/ring’and ‘ring/screw’ are in contact with each other.

In this configuration, the thread flanks ‘screw/nut’ and ‘ring/screw’undergo wedge forces in opposite directions due to the reverse-directionthread of the ‘ring/nut’ assembly. These opposing forces tend to pushthe nut from the ring, and to push the nut against the screw head, thusto maintain the tightened elements. Under the effect of vibrationstending to unscrew either the nut or the ring, the reverse-directionthread causes the other element to be screwed: the nut locking device isthen anti-unscrewing by construction.

The document EP0130304 uses different pitches between the thread of theassembly ‘ring/nut’ on the one hand, and the threads of the ‘screw/nut’and ‘screw/ring’ assemblies, on the other hand, in order to allow thering to rotate relative to the nut- and vice versa-over a fairly wideangle. Without this freedom of rotation, the locking device would lockunder the impression of a very small angle, of the order of a fewdegrees, which would make it impossible to dismantle or mount itvirtually impossible. However, the use of finer or wider pitches has thedisadvantage of making the assembly difficult to mount and lock, becausethe angle of rotation of one of the elements of the device is limited bythe length of the smallest pitch of these elements.

A first aspect of the invention is to provide a locking devicecomprising a nut and a ring having reverse-direction threads, withoutthe disadvantages of prior art locking devices.

To this end, the first aspect of the invention is a locking device ofthe aforementioned type, in which the first, second and third tappingsand the first and second threads have an identical and constant threadpitch; and each of the second and third radial clearances is greaterthan the first radial clearance.

The invention further relates to an assembly for a locking device of thetype comprising: a nut comprising a first and a second tapping coaxialand opposite direction; and a ring; an inner surface of said ringcomprising a third tapping, the first and third tappings being capableof cooperating with a same first thread; an outer surface of said ringcomprising a second thread capable of cooperating with the secondtapping of the nut.

According to the first aspect of the invention, the first and thirdtappings are capable of cooperating with a same first thread with astandardized ISO triangular profile, so as to define with said firstthread a first and a third radial clearance; the second thread is ableto cooperate with the second tapping so as to define a second radialclearance; the first, second and third tappings and the second threadhave an identical and constant thread pitch; each of the first andsecond threads has a standardized ISO triangular profile; and the secondand third threads have an ISO triangular profile, a thread flankdiameter of which is greater than the thread flank diameter of thestandard ISO triangular profile, such that each of the second and thirdradial clearances is greater than the first radial clearance.

According to other advantages of the first aspect of the invention, theassembly comprises one or more of the following features, takenseparately or according to all technically possible combinations:

-   -   each of the thread flank diameters of the second and third        tappings is increased by a same offset value with respect to the        thread flank diameter of the corresponding standardized ISO        triangular profile;    -   the offset value A Is defined according to the following        formula:

A≥(2P×α)/(360°×Tan β)

-   -   with α=desired minimum clamping angle, expressed in degrees, and        β=half angle of the ISO thread, expressed in degrees;    -   the desired minimum clamping angle is between 10° and 60°;    -   the nut comprises first driving surfaces for rotatably driving        said nut relative to the shaft and/or relative to the ring; the        ring comprises second driving surfaces for rotatably driving        said ring relative to the shaft and/or relative to the nut; said        first and second driving surfaces being configured to align with        each other, so as to enable rotational driving of the nut        together with the ring;    -   the first and second drive surfaces are formed by planes        substantially parallel to an axis of rotation of the nut and/or        of the ring.

The first aspect of the invention further relates to a locking device asdescribed above, comprising a shaft and an assembly as described above,wherein the first thread of the shaft has a standardized ISO triangularprofile.

A second aspect of the invention is to provide a locking devicecomprising a nut and a ring equipped with a visual marking indicatingthat said nut and said ring are, or not, correctly locked.

To this end, the second aspect of the invention is an assembly for alocking device of the aforementioned type, extending along a main axis,in which: a portion of the ring, projecting radially external withrespect to the second thread, comprises at least one through-hole alongthe main axis; and a surface of the nut, perpendicular to the main axis,comprises at least one visual marking, said at least one visual markingbeing configured to be facing the at least one through-hole when the nutand the ring are in an installation position, and away from said atleast one through-hole when the nut and the ring are out of saidinstallation position.

According to another advantage of the second aspect of the invention,the portion of the ring comprises a number of through-holes of betweentwo and ten, preferably equal to six, said through-holes being regularlydistributed around the main axis; and the surface of the nut comprises asame number of visual markings, each of said visual markings beingconfigured to face one of the through-holes when the nut and the ringare in an installation position, and away from said through-hole whenthe nut and the ring are out of said installation position.

The second aspect of the invention can be implemented alone or incombination with the first aspect of the invention.

A third aspect of the invention is to provide a locking devicecomprising a nut and a ring associated with a positive locking means.The term “positive locking means” refers to a third part that has to bebroken or plastically deformed to allow the ring to rotate with respectto the nut once the locking device is in the locked position.

To this end, the third aspect of the invention is an assembly for alocking device of the aforementioned type, extending along a main axisand further comprising a washer configured so as to be inserted aroundone of the nut and the ring, in a rotationally fixed manner with respectto said nut or to said ring, the washer comprising a means of elasticengagement with the other of the ring and of the nut in an installationposition of the assembly, so as to prevent rotation relative to eachother of the ring and the nut from said installation position.

According to other advantages of the third aspect of the invention, thelocking device assembly comprises one or more of the following features,taken separately or according to all technically possible combinations:

-   -   the washer comprises an annular body and at least one tab        projecting radially with respect to said annular body, said        annular body comprising a means for blocking in rotation with        one of the nut and the ring, said at least one tab being        elastically deformable between a rest configuration and a stress        configuration, in which the washer is respectively in axial        projection with respect to the annular body and substantially        coplanar with said annular body, the assembly being configured        such that, in the installation position, the at least one tab is        in the rest configuration, the axial projection of said at least        one tab being able to block in rotation relative to each other        the ring and the nut;    -   the nut and the ring respectively comprise first and second        surfaces substantially perpendicular to the main axis, such        that, when the nut and the ring are in an angular configuration        different from the installation position, said first and second        surfaces are able to hold the at least one tab in the stress        configuration, one of the first or second surfaces comprising at        least one notch capable of being assembled with said at least        one tab in the rest configuration in the installation position        of the assembly.

The third aspect of the invention can be implemented alone or incombination with the first and/or second aspect of the invention.

According to other advantages of the second or third aspect of theinvention, the locking device assembly comprises one or more of thefollowing features, taken separately or according to all technicallypossible combinations:

-   -   the first, second and third tappings and the second thread have        an identical and constant thread pitch;    -   the nut comprises first driving surfaces for rotatably driving        said nut relative to the first thread and/or relative to the        ring; the ring comprises second driving surfaces for rotatably        driving said ring relative to the first thread and/or relative        to the nut; said first and second driving surfaces being        configured to align with each other, so as to enable rotational        driving of the nut together with the ring;    -   the first and second drive surfaces are formed by planes        substantially parallel to the main axis.

The second or third aspect of the invention further relates to a lockingdevice comprising: a shaft comprising a first thread, and an assembly asdescribed above, the first and third tappings being able to cooperatewith said first thread. Preferably, the installation positioncorresponds to a contact of thread flanks of the first and thirdtappings with thread flanks of the first thread.

The invention further relates to a mounting kit for a locking device,said mounting kit comprising: an assembly for a locking device asdescribed above; and a mounting tool comprising a tubular socket, oneend of said socket comprising an inner surface capable of engaging withthe first and second driving surfaces, respectively of the nut and ofthe ring, for rotational driving of the nut together with the ring.

According to other advantages of the third aspect of the invention, theassembly of said mounting kit comprises the washer described above; andthe mounting tool of said mounting kit further comprises a tubularsheath comprising a first and a second end, capable of engagingrespectively with the inner surface of the socket and with the seconddriving surfaces of the ring, for rotational driving of the ring withrespect to the nut; the sheath further comprising at least oneprojection capable of deforming the at least one tab of the washer fromthe rest configuration to the stress configuration, so as to allowrotation of the ring relative to the nut from the installation position.

The invention will be better understood on reading the followingdescription, given solely by way of non-limiting example and made withreference to the drawings, in which:

FIGS. 1, 2 and 3 are exploded perspective views of an assembly for alocking device, respectively according to a first, a second and a thirdembodiment of the invention;

FIGS. 4 to 6 are detail views, in cross section, of a locking deviceproduced from an assembly of FIG. 1, respectively in a first, a secondand a third configuration;

FIG. 7 is a schematic representation of an ISO-type root thread profile;

FIGS. 8 to 10 are detail views of the locking device of FIGS. 4 to 6;

FIG. 11 is a detail view of the assembly for a locking device of FIG. 1;

FIG. 12 is a detail view of a locking device made from an assembly ofFIG. 3; and

FIG. 13 is an exploded perspective view of a mounting tool for thelocking device of FIGS. 4 to 6

Each of FIGS. 1, 2 and 3 shows an assembly 10, 110, 210 for a lockingdevice, respectively according to a first, a second and a thirdembodiment of the invention. FIGS. 4 to 6 show a locking device 300formed from the assembly 10 of FIG. 1. Each of the assemblies 110 and210 is adapted to be used to form a locking device analogous to thedevice 300.

In the following description, the assemblies 10, 110 and 210 will bedescribed simultaneously, the common elements being designated by thesame reference numbers.

The assembly 10, 110, 210 for locking device comprises a nut 12, 112,212 and a ring 13, 113, 213. The assembly 210 of FIG. 3 furthercomprises a washer 214.

Each of the elements of the assembly 10, 110, 210 has a generallysubstantially circular or cylindrical shape, extending along a main axisX.

The nut 12, 112, 212 has an annular shape extending axially between afirst end 15 and a second 16 end. Each of said first 15 and second 16ends is formed by a planar surface, substantially perpendicular to themain axis X.

The nut 12, 112, 212 comprises an inner surface of revolution 17 of axisX. The inner surface 17 comprises a first 18 and a second 20 coaxialtappings. According to the axis X, said first 18 and second 20 tappingsare respectively arranged on the side of the first end 15 and the second16 end.

The first 18 and second 20 tappings are separated by a shoulder 21,arranged in a plane perpendicular to X. The inner surface 17 has ahigher average diameter at the second tapping 20 than the first tapping18.

The first tapping 18 has a first direction of rotation and the secondtapping 20 has a second opposite direction of rotation. The first 18 andsecond 20 tappings have an identical pitch P, shown in FIG. 4.

The first tapping 18 is capable of interacting with a first thread 22 ofa shaft 24, said shaft being included in the locking device 300 andshown in FIGS. 4 to 6. The first 18 and second 20 tappings will bedescribed in more detail below.

The nut 12, 112, 212 further comprises an outer surface, a first portionof said outer surface comprising drive sections 26, 126, 226 allowing atool to rotate said nut. Said drive sections 26, 126, 226 are in planesparallel to X. In the embodiments shown, drive sections 26, 126, 226define a hexagonal section in a plane perpendicular to X.

A second part 27 of the outer surface of the nut, of substantiallycylindrical shape of revolution of axis X, axially extends the firstpart comprising the drive sections 26, 126, 226. In the embodiment ofFIG. 3, two recesses 28 are made in hollow in said second part 27. Saidrecesses 28 are arranged in planes parallel to each other and to themain axis X.

The ring 13, 113, 213 has an annular shape extending axially between athird 30 and a fourth 31 ends. Each of said third 30 and fourth 31 endsis formed by a planar surface, substantially perpendicular to the mainaxis X.

The ring 13, 113, 213 comprises a first 32 and a second 33, 133, 233portions, coaxial and aligned along X. The first portion 32, arranged onthe side of the third end 30, has a substantially cylindrical externalshape. The second portion 33,133,233, arranged on the side of the fourthend 31, has an external shape protruding radially with respect to thefirst portion 32.

The ring 13, 113, 213 comprises an inner surface comprising a thirdtapping 38, opening onto the third end 30. Said third tapping 38 has thefirst direction of rotation and is capable of cooperating with the firstthread 22 of the shaft 24.

Furthermore, an outer surface of the first portion 32 comprises a secondthread 40. Said second thread 40 has the second direction of rotationand is capable of cooperating with the second tapping 20 of the nut 12,112, 212.

The second portion 33, 133, 233 comprises an annular surface 39,perpendicular to X and oriented towards the first portion 321.

The second portion 33, 133, 233 further comprises driving surfaces fordriving in rotation the ring 13, 113, 213. In the embodiments of FIGS. 1and 3, the second portion 33, 233 has the shape of a collar; in theembodiment of FIG. 2, the second portion 133 is formed by tabs 141arranged on the periphery of the first portion 321.

The drive surfaces of the second portion 33, 133, 233 comprise lateraldrive surfaces 42, 142, 242, arranged in planes parallel to X. In theembodiments of FIGS. 1 and 3, the lateral drive surfaces 42, 242 havethe same shape as the drive sections 26, 226, so as to make it possibleto jointly drive the ring 13, 213 and the nut 12, 212. In the embodimentof FIG. 2, the lateral drive surfaces 142 are formed by planar ends ofthe tabs 141.

In the embodiments of FIGS. 1 and 3, the drive surfaces of the secondportion 33, 233 further comprise front drive surfaces 44, 244, formed bybas-relief cuttings in the planar surface defining the fourth end 31.

In the embodiment of FIG. 3, the second portion 233 of the ring 213comprises, on its outer circumference, notches 245 extending radiallyinwards. For example, the second portion 233, and in particular theannular surface 39 of said second portion, comprises two notches 245arranged opposite each other with respect to the axis X. Preferably,each notch 245 is produced at a cutting 244.

FIGS. 4 to 6 show a locking device 300 made from the assembly 10 ofFIG. 1. An analogous locking device can be obtained with previouslydescribed assemblies 110 and 210.

The locking device 300 comprises the shaft 24, the nut 12, the ring 13and a ball bearing 302. Said ball bearing 302 is secured to the shaft24, said shaft extending axially from a flat surface 304 of said ballbearing.

The first tapping 18 of the nut 12 is assembled to the first thread 22of the shaft 24, the first end 15 of the nut being opposite the flatsurface 304.

The third tapping 38 and the second thread 40 of the ring 13 arerespectively assembled to the first thread 22 of the shaft 24 and to thesecond tapping 20 of the nut 12. The second end 16 of the nut isopposite the annular surface 39 of the collar 33 of the ring.

By convention, in the continuation of the description of the nut 12, ofthe ring 13 and of the shaft 24, the term “forward” indicates an axialdirection oriented towards the ball bearing 302, whereas the term“backward” indicates an axial direction in the opposite direction.

FIGS. 4, 5 and 6 show the locking device 300 in a first, a second and athird configuration which will be described in more detail below.

A first aspect of the invention, relating to the first 18 and second 20tappings of the nut 12, 112, 212, to the third tapping 38 and to thesecond thread 40 of the ring 13, 113, 213, as well as to the firstthread 22 of the shaft 24, will now be described more precisely.

Preferably, said threads and tappings have an ISO profile, correspondingto a base profile 50 shown in FIG. 7. This profile is based on anequilateral triangle shape, corresponding to a half-angle of thread βequal to 30°. H represents the height of the base triangle and P thepitch of the thread; d, D represent the nominal diameter, respectivelyof the thread and the tapping; d₂, D₂ represent the nominal diameter onthe flank of the thread, respectively of the thread and the tapping.

FIG. 8 shows a detail view of the first tapping 18 of the nut 12, 112,212 engaged with the first thread 22 of the shaft 24, defining a firstradial clearance J1.

FIG. 9 shows a detail view of the second tapping 20 of the nut 12, 112,212 engaged with the second thread 40 of the ring 13, 113, 213, defininga second radial clearance J2.

FIG. 10 represents a detail view of the third tapping 38 of the ring 13,113, 213 engaged with the first thread 22 of the shaft 24, defining athird radial clearance J3. Each of the second J2 and third J3 radialclearances is greater than the first radial clearance J1.

An experimental example of the embodiment of FIG. 1 is detailed below:According to the standardized name IS05855-1, the first thread 22 of theshaft 24 and the first tapping 18 of the nut 12 are respectively chosenfrom the type MJ57x1.5-4h6h and of the type MJ57x1.5-4H5H. It istherefore d=D=57 mm and P=1.5 mm. The names 4h6h and 4H5H represent thetolerance classes.

For the third tapping 38 of the ring 13, intended to engage with thefirst thread 22, a modified profile MJ57x1.5-4H5H is considered. Indeed,the thread flank diameter of the third thread 38 is increased by a valueA relative to the minimum diameter on the thread flank of said profile.The term “minimum diameter” and “maximum diameter” is understood tomean, respectively, the lower limit and the upper limit of the tolerancemargin.

The second thread 40 of the ring 13 is chosen from the typeMJ64x1.5-4h6h, that is to say with a nominal diameter d equal to 64 mm,a pitch P=1.5 mm and a tolerance class 4h6h. It is identical to thefirst thread 22 of the shaft.

For the second tapping 20 of the nut 12, intended to engage with thesecond thread 40 of the ring, a modified profile MJ64x1.5-4H5H isconsidered. The thread flank diameter of the second tapping 20 isincreased by the value A relative to the minimum diameter on the threadflank of said profile.

The positive offset A of diameters on the flanks of the second and thirdtappings 20 and 38 ensures a radial clearance between the thread flanksin the “nut/ring” assemblies on the one hand, and “ring/shaft” on theother hand. This offset is not inconvenient for mounting the lockingdevice on the shaft, and makes it possible to turn the ring relative tothe nut in order to bring it either into a so-called locked position orin a so-called braked position, at an angle sufficient to unlock thelocking device. Each of the locked and braked positions corresponds to acontact of thread flanks of the first 18 and third 38 tapped with threadflanks of the first thread 22, the nut being pressed against the ballbearing 302. The locked and braked positions will be detailed below.

Advantageously, the minimum offset A is calculated according to theformula below:

A≥(2P×α)/(360°×Tan ß)

-   -   with    -   P=thread pitch of the shaft 24,    -   α=desired minimum clamping angle, expressed in degrees,    -   ß=half-angle of the ISO thread, expressed in degrees.

The minimum diameter on flank of the second and third tappings 20 and 38is chosen to be equal to the maximum diameter on flank of the respectiveISO thread on which they are engaged—that is to say respectively thesecond thread 40 and the first thread 22 of the shaft 24—increased bythe value of the offset A:

D ₂ min=d ₂ max+A

-   -   D₂ min, modified minimum thread flank diameter,    -   d₂ max, the maximum thread flank diameter of the facing thread.

The maximum flank diameter of the second and third tappings 20 and 38 isequal to the minimum flank diameter of the second and third tappings 20and 38 increased by a manufacturing tolerance value IT, chosen by themanufacturer:

D ₂ max=D ₂ min+IT

For example, for an ISO thread with a pitch P equal to 1.5 mm, with athread angle of 60°, and a desired tightening angle of 15°, the offset Ais at least equal to:

A≥(2×1.5×15°)/(360°×tan 30°)=0.217 mm.

The maximum diameter on the flank of the second thread 40 of the typeISO MJ64x1.5-4H5H is equal to 63.026 mm. The minimum diameter on theflank of the second tapping 20 of the type MJ57x1.5-4h6h modified withrespect to the ISO profile is therefore equal to:

D ₂ min₂₀=63.026+0.217=63.243 mm

By taking a manufacturing tolerance of 0.132 mm, identical to thetolerance of the profile MJ64x1.5-4H5H between the maximum diameter andthe minimum thread flank diameter, the modified thread flank maximumdiameter is therefore

D ₂ max₂₀=63.243+0.132=63.375 mm.

In the same manner, the minimum and maximum flank diameters of the thirdtapping 38 are calculated, and the following dimensions are obtained:

D ₂ min₃₈=56.026+0.217=56.243 mm

D ₂ max₃₈=56.243+0.132=56.375 mm.

The offset between the second and third tappings 20 and 38 is thereforetheoretically the same, although in reality, with manufacturingtolerances, the size of the profiles can vary within the toleranceinterval.

The offset A can alternatively be defined by choosing a tolerance classof the second 20 and third 38 tappings greater than the tolerance classof the first tapping 18. For example, the first thread 22 of the shaft24 and the second thread 40 of the ring 13 are defined with a toleranceclass 4h6h according to the standard IS0965. The first tapping 18 of thenut 12 is defined with a tolerance class 4H5H according to this samestandard so as to define the first radial clearance J1 between thethread F and the first tapping 18 of the nut. The flank diameters of thesecond 20 and third 38 tappings are defined with a higher toleranceclass, for example a tolerance class 7H, so as to provide the second J2and third J3 radial clearances. Thus, the first nominal/minimum radialclearance J1 is 116 μm/0 μm; and the second J2 and J3 nominal/minimumradial clearances are 249 μm/133 μm.

In this example, an offset A of 133 μm makes it possible to turn thering relative to the nut with an angular range of +/−17° with respect toa nominal position where all the clearances are centered. In reality, byintegrating the manufacturing tolerance intervals and considering thefact that the fixing device is not infinitely rigid, the angular rangeof rotation of the ring 13 varies between 18° and 50°.

Advantageously, the positive offset A of diameters on the flanks of thesecond and third tappings is chosen to obtain an angle of locking orunlocking of the ring with respect to the nut varying between 10 and90°. Below 10°, the angle is too small to properly control the lockingand unlocking of the locking device, and above 90°, the clearancebetween diameters on flanks becomes too large and there is no longerenough contact surface between the flanks of the engaged threads toensure effective locking.

Varying the thread flank diameters of certain threads/tappings whilemaintaining a same pitch P between all the threads/tappings of thelocking device 300 makes it possible to systematically guarantee thatthe assembly 10, 110, 210 can be mounted on the shaft 24. Furthermore,the manufacture is simplified because only one tool is needed to performall the tappings, even the modified tappings. The radial offsetgenerated by the increase in diameter on the flank can in fact beachieved with the tool used to make the unmodified tapping, simply byradially shifting the tool to create offset A. The radial offset thushas an advantage over an axial dimension offset, which requires aspecially shaped tool to make a modified thread.

Another advantage of the radial offset is that the choice of a rotationangle in order to bring the device into a locking position makes itpossible to calculate a maximum torque to be applied to the ring, whichtorque can be given as a setpoint to an operator. An angle instructionis effectively complicated to comply with, due to the inertia of thetools and uncertainties of the measurement tools.

A second aspect of the invention, relating to the embodiment of FIG. 1,will now be described more precisely.

The assembly 10 of FIG. 1 is provided with a visual means making itpossible to easily identify whether the locking device is actuallylocked. In particular, the ring 13 comprises through-holes 60 arrangedon the second portion 33 of the ring 13. FIG. 11 shows a detailed viewof the ring 13 assembled to the nut 12 at a through-hole 60.

The second end 16 of the nut 12, opposite the through-holes 60, isprovided with markings 64, for example a colour or a word, such as“LOCK”, which indicates by convention that the locking device is lockedwhen the one or more markings are visible through the at least onethrough-hole 60.

Preferably, each cutting 44 of said second portion 33 is traversedaxially by a through-hole 60. Other arrangements are possible, asindicated above.

The second aspect of the invention described above may be combined withthe first aspect of the invention described above. Said second aspect ofthe invention can also be adapted to a prior art locking device, such asthat described in document EP0130304.

A third aspect of the invention, relating to the embodiment of FIG. 3,will now be described more precisely.

FIG. 12 depicts a detailed view of a locking device 310 in the lockedposition. The locking device 310 is produced from the assembly 210 and ashaft 24 (not shown) in a similar manner to the locking device 300.

According to the third aspect of the invention, the assembly 210comprises a means for positive locking of the locking device 310, formedby the washer 214. The washer 214 comprises an annular body 270 and twotabs 272 extending radially outwards with respect to said annular body.A tab 272 is in particular visible in FIG. 12.

The annular body 270 is configured so as to be able to be insertedaround the second part 27 of the outer surface of the nut 212. An innerperiphery of the annular body 270 comprises flats 274 (FIG. 3) capableof engaging in the recesses 28 of said second part 27, in order to lockthe washer 214 in rotation relative to the nut 212.

The two tabs 272 are preferably located opposite each other with respectto the axis X. Each tab 272 extends at the periphery of the annular body270 over an arc length less than an arc length of a notch 245 of thering 213.

The tabs 272 are elastically deformable between a rest configuration anda stress configuration. In the embodiment of FIGS. 3 and 12, each tab272 is formed by a plurality of tabs 276 juxtaposed along the peripheryof the annular body 270. In the rest configuration, visible in FIGS. 3and 12, each tab 276 has a hook shape projecting axially relative to theannular body 270.

In the locked position visible in FIG. 12, each of the tabs 272, in therest configuration, is housed in a notch 245 of the ring 213. The hookshape of the tabs 276 rotationally locks the tab 272 in the notch 245.

The flats 274 and the tabs 272 are configured and positioned such thateach tab 272 naturally snaps into a notch 245 of the ring when thelocking device 310 is in the locked position.

In the stress configuration, the tabs 276 are stressed in flexion andpushed back so that the tabs 272 are substantially coplanar with theannular body 270. In particular, when the nut 212 and the ring 213 arein an angular configuration different from the locked position, the tabs272 are held in a stress configuration by the second end 16 of the nutand by the annular surface 39 of the ring. A method for assembling anddisassembling the locking device 310 will be detailed below.

The third aspect of the invention described above may be combined withthe first aspect and/or the second aspect of the invention describedabove. Said third aspect of the invention can also be adapted to a priorart locking device, such as that described in document EP0130304.

FIG. 13 represents a tool 400 for mounting the assembly for the lockingdevice 300, 310. The mounting tool 400 is capable of mounting theassembly 10, 110, 210 on the previously described shaft 24. It isconsidered that the mounting tool 400 extends along the same main axis Xas the assembly 10, 110, 210.

The mounting tool 400 comprises a socket 402. Said socket comprises atubular body extending between a first end 403 and a second end 404. Thefirst end 403 comprises a non-circular opening 406 for fitting with ashaft of the same section of a setting tool. The second end 404comprises an inner surface having flats 408 capable of engaging with thedrive sections 26, 126, 226 of the nut 12, 112, 212 and with the lateraldrive surfaces 42, 142, 242 of the ring 13, 113, 213 aligned with eachother along the axis X.

According to one embodiment, the mounting tool 400 further comprises atubular sheath 410 intended to dismantle the locking device 310 of FIG.12. A first end of said sheath 410 comprises a drive outer surface 412complementing the flats 408 of the socket. Said outer driving surface412 is capable of being inserted into the second end 404 of the socket402 so that the sheath 410 is driven in rotation with said socket.

A second end of said sheath comprises an inner driving surface 414complementary to the lateral driving surfaces 242 of the ring 213. Saidinner driving surface 414 leads to a planar shoulder 416, substantiallyperpendicular to X.

The sheath 410 further comprises two projections 418 situated facing oneanother with respect to the main axis X. The projections 418 extendradially inwards relative to the inner driving surface 414 and axiallytowards the second end of the sheath relative to the planar shoulder416.

A method of mounting the locking device 300 from the assembly 10 willnow be described.

The second thread 40 of the ring 13 is screwed into the second tapping20 of the nut 12, so that the driving sections 26 of said nut and thelateral driving surfaces 42 of said ring are aligned. The assembly thusformed is assembled to the socket 402, said drive sections 26 andlateral drive surfaces 42 being inserted into the flats 408. The socket402 is assembled with a setting tool which makes it possible to screwtogether on the shaft 24 the assembled nut 12 and the ring 13. Thescrewing is continued until the first end 15 of the nut 12 is in contactwith the surface 304 of the ball-bearing 302. The socket 402 is thenwithdrawn so that the second end 404 only drives the lateral drivesurfaces 42 of the ring 13. In order to bring the locking device intothe so-called locked position, said ring 13 is screwed in the samedirection as the first thread 22 of the shaft 24. In order to bring thelocking device into the so-called braked position, the ring 13 isscrewed in the reverse direction of said first thread 22.

Two starting positions are possible to bring the locking device 300 intoa locked or braked position. A first starting position consists inscrewing the ring 13 into the nut 12 until the annular surface 39 ofsaid ring comes into contact with the second end 16 of said nut. Inorder to bring the locking device 300 into the locked position, the ring13 is rotated relative to the nut 12 in the direction of the firstthread 22 of the shaft 24. This rotation of the ring 13 is of a smallangle, of the order of a few degrees.

A second starting position consists in screwing the ring 13 into the nut12 until the annular surface 39 comes into contact with the second end16 of the nut, and then pivoting the ring 13 in the opposite directionwith respect to said nut. This reverse rotation corresponds to a halfpitch, ie 180°. The annular surface 39 of the ring 13 is thus separatedfrom the second end 16 of the nut.

Then, in order to bring the locking device 300 into the locked position,the ring 13 is rotated relative to the nut 12 in the direction of thefirst thread 22 of the shaft 24. This rotation of the ring 13 is of oneof the order of one to two tens of degrees. The locking of the lockingdevice starting from the second starting position has the advantage ofbetter controlling the tightening torque applied to the ring.

Alternatively, in order to bring the locking device 300 in the brakedposition, the ring 13 is turned relative to the nut 12 in the reversedirection of the first thread 22, by an angle of the order of one to twotens of degrees.

In the locked position, as in the braked position, once the nut 12 isscrewed and supported on the ball bearing 302, the first end 15 of saidnut is in contact with the surface 304 of the ball bearing and the rearthread flanks of the first tapping 18 of the nut are in contact with thefront thread flanks of the first thread 22 of the shaft.

The first configuration of the locking device 300, as shown in FIG. 4,corresponds to the locked position as obtained from the previouslydescribed first starting position. In this configuration, the second end16 of the nut is in contact with the annular surface 39 of the ring, therear thread flanks of the third tapping 38 of the ring are in contactwith the front thread flanks of the first thread 22 of the shaft. Thethread flanks of the second tapping 20 of the nut and of the secondthread 40 of the ring are not in contact.

The second configuration of the locking device 300, as shown in FIG. 5,corresponds to the locked position as obtained from the previouslydescribed second starting position. In this configuration, the secondend 16 of the nut is not in contact with the annular surface 39 of thering, the rear thread flanks of the third tapping 38 of the ring are incontact with the front thread flanks of the first thread 22 of theshaft, and the rear thread flanks of the second tapping 20 of the nutare in contact with the front thread flanks of the second thread 40 ofthe ring.

A locking device 300 corresponding to the experimental example of theembodiment of FIG. 1, described above, has been tested in the lockedposition in a test bench. Once the locking device is locked, a torque of450 N·m applied to the nut does not allow the nut/ring assembly to beunscrewed, regardless of the starting position used.

The third configuration of the locking device 300, as shown in FIG. 6,corresponds to the braked position as obtained from the previouslydescribed second starting position. In this configuration, the secondend 16 of the nut is not in contact with the annular surface 39 of thering, the front thread flanks of the third tapping 38 of the ring are incontact with the rear thread flanks of the first thread 22 of the shaft,while the front thread flanks of the second tapping 20 of the nut are incontact with the rear thread flanks of the second thread 40 of the ring.

A locking device 300 corresponding to the experimental example of theembodiment of FIG. 1, described above, was tested in the braked positionin a test bench. Once the locking device is braked, a torque of 200 N·mapplied to the nut allows the nut/ring assembly to be unscrewed.

This torque remains two times greater than the maximum braking torquesof the EN3299 or EN4376 standards. The term of braking is therefore usedto indicate that it is possible to unscrew the locking device, althoughthe torques required for unlocking the locking device remain largelygreater than the torques conventionally induced by vibrations applied tothe shaft/locking device system, and mentioned in said standards.

In the third aspect of the invention described above, a method ofmounting the locking device 310 from the assembly 210 by means of themounting tool 400 will now be described.

The annular body 270 of the washer 214 is inserted around the secondportion 27 from the outer surface of the nut 212, the flats 274 takeplace in the recesses 28. The second thread 40 of the ring 213 is thenscrewed into the second tapping 20 of the nut 212, so that the drivesections 226 and the lateral drive surfaces 242 are aligned. Theassembly thus formed is assembled with the socket 402 and screwed ontothe shaft 24, as in the method for mounting the previously describedlocking device 300.

The ring 213 is then screwed with respect to the nut 212 to the lockedor braked position. Before said locked position is reached, the tabs 272of the washer 214 are held in the plane of the annular body 270 by thesecond end 16 of the nut and by the annular surface 39 of the ring. Thering can thus be pivoted relative to the nut. When the second startposition is used assembly is made by using the sheath 410 to keep thetabs 272 of the washer constantly pushed back by the projections 418 ofthe sheath 410, even when the tabs are each facing a notch 245 formed inthe annular surface.

When the locked position is reached, each tab 272 is opposite a notch245 formed in the annular surface 39. The mounting tool 400 is thenmoved back. The tab 272 then deforms elastically to resume its restconfiguration, rotationally locking the ring 213 and the nut 212.

The washer 214 performs two functions: a first function is to guaranteea positive locking between the nut 212 and the ring 213, by theengagement of the flats 274 with the recesses 28 of the nut, and tabs272 with the notches 245 of the ring. A second function is to provide avisual indication of the lock, each tab 272 being visible in a notch 245when the locked position of the locking device 310 is reached.

A method for disassembling the locking device 310 will now be described.The sheath 410 of the mounting tool 400 is assembled with the socket402, and is advanced so as to come into contact with the ring 213, onwhich the washer 214 is inserted. The projections 418 push axially thetabs 276 in the direction of the nut 212. The tabs 272 are thus pushedback, which in turn releases the ring 213 relative to the nut 212. Thering 213 can rotate freely by driving the drive surfaces by the drivesurfaces 414 which are complementary to the sheath. The sheath isremoved from the socket and the assembly 210 is removed as a unit, byrotating it in the reverse direction of the first thread 22, by means ofthe socket 402 alone.

1. Assembly for a locking device, extending along a main axis (X) andcomprising: a nut comprising a first and a second coaxial andopposite-direction tappings; and a ring; an inner surface of said ringcomprising a third tapping; the first and third tappings being capableof cooperating with a same first thread; an outer surface of said ringcomprises a second thread capable of cooperating with the second tappingof the nut; the assembly being characterised in that it furthercomprises a washer configured so as to be inserted around one of the nutand of the ring, in a rotationally fixed manner with respect to said nutor to said ring, the washer comprises a means of elastic engagement withthe other of the ring and of the nut in an installation position of theassembly, so as to prevent rotation relative to the other of the ringand the nut from said installation position.
 2. Assembly according toclaim 1, wherein the washer comprises an annular body and at least onetab projecting radially with respect to said annular body, said annularbody comprises a means for blocking in rotation with one of the nut andof the ring, said at least one tab being elastically deformable betweena rest configuration and a stress configuration, in which the washer isrespectively in axial projection with respect to the annular body andsubstantially coplanar with said annular body, the assembly beingconfigured such that, in the installation position, the at least one tabis in the rest configuration, the axial projection of said at least onetongue being able to block in rotation relative to each other the ringand the nut.
 3. Assembly according to claim 2, wherein the nut and thering respectively comprise a first and a second surfaces substantiallyperpendicular to the main axis, such that when the nut and the ring arein an angular configuration different from the installation position,said first and second surfaces are able to hold the at least one tonguein the stress configuration, one of the first or second surfacescomprises at least one notch capable of being assembled with said atleast one tongue in the rest configuration in the installation positionof the assembly.
 4. Assembly according to claim 1, in which the first,second and third tappings and the second thread have an identical andconstant thread pitch (P);
 5. Assembly according to claim 1, in which:the nut comprises first drive surfaces for rotatably driving said nutrelative to the first thread and/or with respect to the ring; the ringcomprises second drive surfaces for rotatably driving said ring relativeto the first thread and/or with respect to the nut; said first andsecond driving surfaces being configured to align with each other, so asto enable rotational driving of the nut together with the ring. 6.Assembly according to claim 5, wherein the first and second drivesurfaces are formed by planes substantially parallel to the main axis(X).
 7. Locking device, comprising: a shaft comprising a first thread,and an assembly according to claim 1, the first and third tappings beingcapable of cooperating with said first thread.
 8. The locking deviceaccording to claim 7, wherein the installation position of the assemblycorresponds to a contact of thread flanks of the first and thirdtappings with thread flanks of the first thread.
 9. Kit for mounting alocking device, said mounting kit comprising: an assembly according toclaim 1; and a mounting tool comprising: a tubular socket, an end ofsaid socket comprising an inner surface capable of engaging with thefirst and second driving surfaces, respectively of the nut and of thering, for rotational driving of the nut together with the ring; and atubular sheath comprising a first and a second end, capable of engagingrespectively with the inner surface of the socket and with the seconddriving surfaces of the ring, for rotational driving of the ring withrespect to the nut, the sheath further comprises at least one projectioncapable of deforming the at least one tab of the washer from the restconfiguration to the stress configuration, so as to allow rotation ofthe ring relative to the nut from the installation position.